Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to speak at the high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25, according to the preliminary program released for the upcoming meeting. His address is currently listed for the afternoon sitting, scheduled from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. local time. In India, that window falls between 12:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on September 26.
The final speaking time could still change. UN officials are expected to make adjustments before the schedule is confirmed, potentially selecting a time that allows audiences in India to follow the prime minister’s remarks more conveniently. Modi has previously participated in six high-level UN General Assembly sessions, beginning in 2014, shortly after he became prime minister.
The 81st General Assembly session will be led by Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, who was elected president of the assembly in June. He has chosen “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all” as the central theme for the session.
The high-level gathering is scheduled to begin on September 22. Under established UN protocol, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is expected to deliver the opening address, followed by US President Donald Trump. Speaking order generally places presidents and monarchs ahead of prime ministers, followed by other senior government representatives and heads of missions.
Beyond the formal speeches, the week is also expected to feature extensive diplomatic activity. Leaders traditionally use the gathering to hold bilateral and informal discussions, with many meetings taking place away from the main assembly chamber.
Several major international issues are expected to feature prominently. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are not listed in the preliminary schedule. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the assembly on September 23 amid continued international attention on the Strait of Hormuz.
The program also includes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, while Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are scheduled to speak on September 24 and September 25, respectively. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is listed for September 24.
With leaders from major powers and countries facing significant geopolitical challenges expected in New York, the General Assembly is likely to become an important forum for discussions on international security, diplomacy and global cooperation.
